Raspberry plant named ‘Awaroa’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry,  Rubus idaeus  L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the unreleased raspberry selections with the breeder codes 86105N26 (not patented) and 87115ZN2 (not patented). This new variety is characterized by very early onset of fruit ripening. The new variety is distinguished from others by its high yields of firm and attractive conical shaped, uniform sized, large, red berries that ripen very early in the season. The plant exhibits a spine-free upright growth habit, of strong vigor. The new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market and the plant is also potentially well-adapted to machine harvesting. The variety has been named ‘Awaroa’.

Genus and species of plant claimed: Rubus idaeus L.

Variety denomination: Awaroa.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The new variety of red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., was created in thecourse of a planned breeding program carried out at Nelson, Motueka, NewZealand. The parents used to make the cross in 1991, were the unpatentedselection 86105N26 (seed parent) and unpatented selection 87115ZN2(pollen parent).

Seed from this cross was grown and the original plant of the new varietywas selected during the 1994–95 summer (Southern Hemisphere) and wasfound to exhibit:

-   -   (a) a spine-free upright growth habit of strong vigor,    -   (b) the ability to form attractive red fruit of good flavor that        ripen very early on floricanes and    -   (c) the ability to form attractive red fruit of good flavor on        primocanes late in the season and    -   (d) resistance to Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV).

The new variety was first asexually propagated in 1999, at Motueka,Nelson, New Zealand, being reproduced by vegetative cuttings arisingfrom root cuttings. Cuttings developed this way in spring, root within a3–4 week propagation period, and thus plants suitable for field plantingare then ready in autumn of the same year. The resulting plantspropagated true to type, demonstrating that the characteristics of thenew variety are stable and are transmitted without change throughsucceeding generations. Since 2000, ‘Awaroa’ has been asexuallypropagated in vitro via tissue culture methods. The variety haspropagated true to type via these means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety was selected from a population of seedlings derived fromcrossing the unreleased raspberry selections with the breeder codes86105N26 (not patented) and 87115ZN2 (not patented). The new variety wasassigned the breeder code, 91355VF.9 (subsequently coded HR137 at theadvanced selection stage). The new variety has since been named‘Awaroa’.

The new variety was tested and evaluated during the years 1996 to 2005in the Nelson Region, New Zealand (41.10°S, 172.97°E).

When compared to the parent 86105N26, fruit of the new variety was foundto be softer and plant canes were more upright and vigorous. ‘Awaroa’was also found to produce more fruit on primocanes than 86105N26.

When compared to the parent 87115ZN2, the new variety exhibits fruitthat are larger and the plant produced more fruit on primocanes.

Data collected during the evaluation period comparing fruitingperformance of the new variety with standard New Zealand varieties andother varieties is presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison of fruiting and shelf life performance. 2003/04season 2005/06 season Berry Berry Yield¹ weight Shelf Yield¹ weightShelf Variety (T/ha) (g) life² (T/ha) (g) life² ‘Tadmor’ 25.9 4.5 3613.7 4.7 50 ‘Korpiko’ 14.8 4 45 17.2 5.3 27 ‘Tulameen’ 17.1 4.1 63 12.94.2 76 ‘Motueka’ 21.3 2.7 15.3 3.8 ‘Moutere’ 17.4 3 63 14.2 4.5 48‘Korere’ 19.5 2.8 30 13.20 3.80 48 ‘Awaroa’³ 15.6 3.1 14.4 4.1 62¹Hand-picked ²Mean (10 berries × 3 reps × 3 harvests) cumulativepercentage of berries with rot caused by Botrytis after 72 hours on theshelf at ambient temperatures (15-20° C.). ³‘Awaroa’ is a dual cropperi.e. the fruit is borne on both the current and previous year's growth;the data shown in Table 1 indicates the floricane fruit yield only.

Berries of the new variety are suitable for consumption as early seasonfresh fruit. While unconfirmed it is likely that ‘Awaroa’ will also besuited to machine harvesting operations as fruit are easy to remove fromthe receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the plant,foliage and fruit of the new variety as depicted in colors as nearlytrue as is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustrationof this character.

FIG. 1 shows close-up views of typical fruit of the variety ‘Awaroa’.

FIG. 2 shows enlarged, close-up, side and end views of a sample ofindividual fruit of the variety ‘Awaroa’; photographed on a 1 cm×1 cmgrid.

FIG. 3 shows the leaf and shoot tip of a fruiting lateral of the variety‘Awaroa’; view is of the upper and lower surfaces.

FIG. 4 shows a floricane leaf of the variety; view is of both the upperand lower leaf surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Horticultural terminology is used in accordance with UPOV guidelines forraspberry. All dimensions in millimeters, weights in grams (unlessotherwise stated). Where a color reference is given these refer to TheR.H.S. Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London. 4^(th)Edition, 2001. The specimens described were grown at Nelson, NewZealand.

Environmental data for the New Zealand growing area demonstratesconditions in spring and early summer (equating to the harvest periodfor the cultivar) as follows:

-   -   Spring (September/October); mean daily temperature in the range        10–12° C. (mean daily minimum 5.8° C., mean daily maximum 16.5°        C.).    -   Early summer (December/January); mean daily temperature 16.8° C.        (mean daily minimum 11.1° C., mean daily maximum 22.4° C.).

A cool temperate area, frost conditions are typically experienced inwinter, with the lowest winter air temperature unlikely to be colderthan −6° C. Average annual rainfall is approximately 1125 mm.

-   Plant and foliage: Plants exhibit medium vigor and are upright in    growth habit. Mature plant height averages approximately 2000 to    2200 in height, although this may vary with the growing conditions.    Although good vigor is exhibited, internode length is quite short,    typically in the range 40–50 mm. Plants have many young shoots and    canes have no spines. Plants of ‘Awaroa’ have been observed to be    less spiny compared with some other commercial varieties, for    instance, ‘Skeena’ (not patented) which has few spines. Fruiting    laterals are medium length. Canes are not pubescent indicating the    absence of gene H. Canes typically show light brown-tan coloration    (near Greyed-orange 175A and 175C) in winter. During the growing    season some purple coloration (near Red-purple 59A) is evident on    the sun-exposed side of the cane. Young shoots are erect, numerous    in number, and are near Yellow-green 144A in color. The leaves are    compound, moderately crinkled, flat and glossy, with strong silver    coloration on the leaf underside (FIGS. 3 and 4). The number of    primocane leaflets per internode is both three and five. The base of    the terminal leaflet is concave in shape and typically average 60 mm    in diameter and 90 mm in length. The coloration of the upper surface    of the leaf is green (near Green 137A), the under side being    markedly lighter in coloration (near Greyed-green 194A). While the    leaves do not have distinguished marginal or vein coloration, the    venation has noticeable rises and falls, and the leaf margin is    typically serrate. The leaf petiole typically averages approximately    40–50 mm in length and 2.3 mm in diameter. It is near Yellow-green    145B in color. The fruiting laterals are medium short in length,    commonly measuring 300–400 mm, and are weakly ascending and    horizontal when fruit has ripened. Fruit presentation at harvest    time is excellent and well suited to hand-picking.-   Infloresence: White flowers on short, slender pedicels. Flowers are    numerous and borne on a paniculate inflorescence. Typically there    are five petals, elongated ovate in shape with a rounded apex and    flat base. They are typically smooth in texture, have a smooth    margin and are near White 155C in color. The flowers are    predominantly borne singly, although sometimes in clusters of two or    more. Terminal branch flower clusters frequently consist of two    flowers and basal flower clusters may number three to five. The    flowers have no discernible fragrance. Five sepals are present. The    reproductive organs are typical for flowers of Rubus idaeus L.;    stigmas, many; stamens numerous.-   Bloom period: Early season, late summer. In the Nelson Region, New    Zealand, bud burst on floricanes commences very early, approximately    mid August. The time of bloom is early season for a summer fruiting    raspberry.-   Harvest: ‘Awaroa’ is capable of producing a dual crop; fruit is    produced on previous year's cane in summer although the variety has    a very early fruiting season and also produces some primocane crop    (fruit on current year's cane in autumn). Fruit commences ripening    on previous year's cane in mid November at Nelson, New Zealand. The    typical start date for picking the new cultivar is November 15.    Fifty percent of the harvest is typically completed by December 5,    and the main harvest period is complete by late December    (approximately December 31). The early time of fruit ripening has    been observed to occur in conjunction with early bud break and a    relatively short time from flowering until the onset of fruit    ripening. This is a key distinguishing feature of the variety. The    fruit ripening period on previous year's cane for ‘Awaroa’ has been    observed to be earlier than for other commercial varieties regarded    as early season varieties in production in New Zealand, for    instance, ‘Glen Moy’ (not patented). ‘Awaroa’ is suited to harvest    by hand and although untested is likely to be suited to machine    harvest as well due to relative easy release of fruit from the plug.    ‘Awaroa’ is recommended for very early season production for the    fresh market fruit. As well, plants of ‘Awaroa’ have the potential    to produce a commercially significant quantity of fruit on    primocanes in the late season in certain environments under    management to promote this characteristic.-   Fruit: The fruit is borne on both the current (primocane) and    previous year's (floricane) growth. Berry size is medium. The    average berry weight is approximately 4.0 g; individual fruit    ranging between 3.0–4.0 g in weight (Table 1). Fruit shape is ovate;    on the basis of fruit length to width ratio, fruit is longer than    broad (FIG. 2). On average berries are 20–25 mm long and 20 mm wide    at the widest point. Fruit color is light mid-red; external color    near Red-53A, internal color near Red 46A. The berries have medium    glossiness. Drupelets number typically 95–100 and are typically 4.1    mm in diameter. The berries are medium firm and of good raspberry    flavor. The seeds average 3.0 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, and are near    Greyed-orange N170C in color when dry. Seed numbers per fruit    average 95–100 and weigh on average 0.19 g per fruit (or on average    individually 1.9 mg). Fruit quality is largely due to the fruit    having firm and fleshy texture with moderate flavor. ‘Awaroa’ fruit    has been observed to have a moderate shelf life in the Nelson    Region, New Zealand (Table 1). Yield is moderate on previous year's    cane (expected to average up to 10–17 t/ha), and primocane yield is    expected to be in the range 3–5 t/ha.-   Pest and disease resistance: The plant appears to be resistant to    Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV). Since the selection of this    clone in 1994-95 numerous tests for RBDV have been carried out on    ‘Awaroa’ in New Zealand using ELISA, but on no occasion has the    virus been detected in spite of high infection pressure. From this    we suggest that ‘Awaroa’ is likely to be resistant to the common    strain of RBDV found in New Zealand. The plant does not seem to be    susceptible to yellow rust Phragmidium rubi-idaei. Resistance to    aphids is unknown.-   Geographical adaptation: Observations indicate that the variety is    suitable for warmer regions where the risk of late spring frosts is    reduced, and indications are the variety is adapted to regions where    winter chill is not readily accumulated. For example, ‘Awaroa’    performs well in the cool temperate climate of the Nelson region    under standard management practices for commercial raspberry    production. The plant hardiness range compared with the USDA Plant    Hardiness zones (published as the 2003 US National Arboretum “Web    Version” of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map USDA Miscellaneous    Publication No. 1475, Issued January 1990) has not been determined.    Under New Zealand conditions, the plants are grown in areas that    experience some winter cold and frost, estimated to be equivalent to    the minimum temperature range of zones 8–10.

1. A new and distinct red raspberry plant as herein illustrated anddescribed.